Businesses urged to work together to improve town

Getty Images Two people walking down an otherwise deserted Leatherhead High Street in winter.Getty Images
The BID scheme aims to attract investment to Leatherhead

A group formed to increase investment in a Surrey town will hold a series of drop-in sessions on Wednesday.

The Leatherhead Business Improvement District (BID) Steering Group has invited companies and businesses to three sessions at the Leatherhead Theatre.

BID schemes encourage businesses to work together more closely and also offers access to funding.

Funding for the group has come from Mole Valley District Council.

If the feedback is mostly positive the group will move on to consider exactly where the BID zone should be, develop a business plan and arranging a formal ballot on the idea.

Paula Keay, Mole Valley's cabinet member for sustainable economy, said: “BIDs can be really effective in ensuring that businesses are represented and have a stronger collective voice on some of the issues that affect their trading area."

Getty Images A street corner in Leatherhead, with railings, a pile of rubbish waiting to be collected and a poster advertising events at the town's theatre.Getty Images
BIDs can be used to gain access to more funding for town centres

The sessions take place between 08:00 and 09:30, 12:00 and 14:00 and 17:00 and 19:00 GMT.

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